Immunologial aspects of atherosclerosis

Identification and quantitation of alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein in the mineralized matrix of calcified plaques of atherosclerotic human aorta

alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein (HSGP) is a minor constituent of plasma with negative acute-phase reactant properties. HSGP has been shown previously to accumulate in the mineralized matrix of bone and dentin to concentrations substantially higher than those present in plasma. In addition, HSGP has also been found in experimentally induced dermal calcifications in animals. Here we show that HSGP is occluded in the organic matrix of pathological calcifications of atherosclerotic human aortic tissue in a concentration approximately 7-fold greater than that found in plasma.

Circulating immune complexes, immunoglobulins, complement, antibodies to dietary antigens, cholesterol and lipoproteins levels in patients with occlusive coronary lesions

The presence of circulating immune complexes, serum immunoglobulins, C3 (the third component of complement), antibodies to alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin and bovine serum albumin was studied in 39 patients subjected to coronary arteriography. Total serum cholesterol and triglycerides and cholesterol in VLDL, LDL and HDL were also estimated. The results obtained in the group of patients found with occlusive lesions were compared with those found in the group without lesions. With one of the five assays used for the detection of immune complexes, higher and significant levels were found in the group with lesions. A negative and significant correlation was found between the number of vessels with lesions and the levels of serum C3.

Immunologic aspects of heart disease

All forms of heart disease, whether caused by streptococcus group A, aseptic heart injury, virus, hypersensitivity, autoimmune conditions, or graft-versus-host reactions, have in common allogenic transformation of the myocardial cell membrane and production of multifunctional autoantibodies, in addition to cause-specific antibodies, some of which cross-react with heart tissue. The outcome of this immunologic insult depends on the ability of the host's immunoregulatory mechanisms to dispose swiftly of the offending antigen and antibody or their complexes. Heart disease often results when these mechanisms, exemplified here, are not intact or when they function inappropriately in genetic or acquired settings and in varying haplotype frames.

Immunological aspects of atheroma: a review

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Distinctive protein profiles obtained from extracts of normal and atherosclerotic human aorta

Specific areas of fourteen autopsied abdominal aortas were layer-dissected, histologically graded and solubilzed with SDS, dilute saline or SDS-urea and beta-mercaptoethanol. Comparisons were made between intima, media, lesions of progressive severity and an in-vivo thrombus. Apparent molecular weights were calculated from the Coomassie blue stained gels of these extracts extracts and each band's contribution estimated by integrative densitometry. Four minor high moleucular weight bands and six medium to low molecular weight bands were detected in the arterial extracts. Band intensity stain patterns of normal intima are easily distinguished from normal media. Extracts of minor lesions resemble normal media; higher grade lesions demonstrate increased amounts of characteristic initmal bands. The major medial band is also seen on gels of thrombus extracts. Both of the bands most characteristic of atherosclerotic lesions stain for carbohydrate. Isolation and characterization of these (glyco)proteins will provide material for binding studies. Quantitation of characteristic lesion proteins may provide insights into the proliferative phase of this disease.